County-managed Kern River County Park sits along the Kern River near Lake Ming, offering 50 large sites spread across a tree-covered area just minutes from Bakersfield. The campground operates with both reservable and first-come sites, accommodating RVs up to 70 feet with full hookups available at select locations.
Mature trees provide substantial shade throughout the property, making summer camping more comfortable than many Central Valley locations. Many sites sit directly along the river, where campers can listen to flowing water and watch for wildlife including ducks, egrets, and occasional bald eagles. "Got a nice site right on the river," reports Kathy B., who found refuge here during windy conditions. The riverside sites tend to see more foot traffic from other campers walking the shoreline paths.
Walking trails follow the river corridor, connecting to bike paths that extend toward town. The campground provides hot showers and clean restroom facilities, though these may occasionally undergo renovation. A dump station and multiple water spigots serve campers without hookups. Rates run around $20-32 per night depending on site type and season.
Access involves navigating some confusing turns initially, though the route becomes clearer with a map. The park sits close enough to Bakersfield for easy resupply runs yet feels removed from urban noise. Holiday weekends bring larger crowds, so timing visits during weekdays or shoulder seasons often means better site selection. For those exploring the region, campgrounds near Lake Ming provide additional options within the same recreational area.
This county park works well for RV travelers needing hookups, tent campers wanting riverside access, and anyone using Bakersfield as a base for Death Valley or Sierra Nevada trips.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundKern River County Park is located in California
Coordinates
35.43539745 N
118.8771374 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 5/5/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 5/5/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/5/26
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 5/5/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 5/5/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/5/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 18 min from Bakersfield, CA
- 1 hr 16 min from Visalia, CA
- 1 hr 23 min from Hanford, CA
- 2 hrs 5 min from Oxnard, CA
